North Carolina to South Carolina Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The average cost to move a car 205 miles from North Carolina to South Carolina falls between $448 and $532. Delivery typically takes one–four days. The timeline can vary based on the type of transport you opt for and the time of year. To get a tailored quote, check out our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our South Carolina to North Carolina car shipping guide.
Our track record
Each year, 400,000+ people trust our car shipping recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:
- Founded in 2015
- 2,500+ car shipping companies analyzed
- $50,000 in moving & auto transport grants delivered
- Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
- Fact-checked for accuracy
The best North Carolina to South Carolina car shipping companies
Through more than 400 hours of analysis of car shippers, we found that these are the top car shipping companies for transporting your vehicle from North Carolina to South Carolina:
- Best for real-time tracking: Nexus Auto Transport
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best for budget-conscious: Navi Auto Transport
- Best for exact pickup dates: SGT Auto Transport
- Best insurance coverage: Ship A Car Direct
- GPS tracking
- Instant online quotes
- Economy option
- Ships nationwide
- Easy online scheduling
- Price Lock Promise
- Pay by credit card
- Free car wash at delivery
- No upfront deposit
- Door-to-door service
- No hidden fees
- Free online quotes
- Door-to-door service in 48 states
- Exact pickup dates
- Ships to & from HI
- Damage-free guarantee
- $500 damage or loss coverage
- No deposit
- Rental car assistance
- Inoperable car shipping
Top local car shippers in North Carolina
Going with a nearby mover? These recommended car shippers in North Carolina can deliver your vehicle to South Carolina:
- 48 States Auto Shipping: 3.78 out of 5 stars
- Ship A Car ASAP: 3.72 out of 5 stars
- Charlotte Auto Shipping Group: 3.58 out of 5 stars
- Stewart Transport Solutions: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Speedy Car Shipping: 3.5 out of 5 stars
How we chose the best car shipping companies
We analyzed 2,400 car shipping companies nationally and evaluated and rated them based on key factors using our unique system of methodology.
Here’s what we considered:
- Standard services: We looked at the types and variety of services each company provides. This includes whether they offer open transport, enclosed transport, or both. We also rated companies based on whether they have door-to-door shipping or just terminal pickup and delivery and the kinds of vehicles they ship. Companies that move RVs, motorcycles, and other specialty vehicles scored higher than those that just ship cars.
- Add-on services: We gave additional points to companies that provide special optional services like expedited shipping, guaranteed pickup times, car washes, and rental car reimbursement.
- Customer satisfaction: We analyzed consumer reviews on multiple major platforms, such as Yelp, Google, and Trustpilot to see whether a car shipping company delivers services promptly with good communication and within the estimated cost. We also evaluated each company’s standing within the car shipping industry as a whole by confirming U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) licensure and checked their membership in — and reputation with — trade associations.
- Availability: We awarded points to each company based on their service areas. Companies that are available in Alaska and Hawaii, in addition to the continental U.S., scored higher than those that just service the Lower 48 or fewer states.
- Scheduling and payment: We reviewed the ease with which customers can schedule services and estimate their costs through accurate quotes, price matching, flat-rate pricing, and other perks. Car shippers that give binding quotes or a price-lock promise got more positive rankings than those that are not as transparent with pricing.
Alternative ways to ship your car from North Carolina to South Carolina
Ship it with your movers
If you’re planning a move from North Carolina to South Carolina, you may find it convenient to work with a moving company that also handles car shipping. Many interstate movers partner with experienced car shipping services to arrange auto transport.
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Drive it yourself
While it’s straightforward, this choice isn’t always possible, and it will add roughly 205 miles to your vehicle on the route from North Carolina to South Carolina. For guidance, review the advantages and disadvantages of driving or shipping.
Hire a driver
Hiring a driver to take your car from North Carolina to South Carolina is an alternative you might want to consider. However, it typically comes with a high price tag, and you’ll need to rely on the driver to care for your car.
Ship by train
This approach offers an affordable and safe way to transport your vehicle. In fact, shipping a car by train is considered the cheapest car shipping method.
North Carolina to South Carolina auto transport costs and transit times
The tables below highlight the average shipping costs and estimated timelines for transporting a car between popular cities in North Carolina and South Carolina. The trip typically spans 205 miles and takes about one–four days.
Cost to ship a car from Charlotte, NC to South Carolina
| From North Carolina to South Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte, NC to Charleston, SC | $410 – $571 | 209 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Charlotte, NC to Columbia, SC | $282 – $455 | 93 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Charlotte, NC to North Charleston, SC | $423 – $543 | 202 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Charlotte, NC to Mount Pleasant, SC | $430 – $549 | 212 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Charlotte, NC to Rock Hill, SC | $192 – $337 | 28 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Raleigh, NC to South Carolina
| From North Carolina to South Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh, NC to Charleston, SC | $457 – $642 | 279 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Raleigh, NC to Columbia, SC | $441 – $541 | 227 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Raleigh, NC to North Charleston, SC | $453 – $582 | 272 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Raleigh, NC to Mount Pleasant, SC | $484 – $611 | 282 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Raleigh, NC to Rock Hill, SC | $409 – $548 | 192 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Greensboro, NC to South Carolina
| From North Carolina to South Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greensboro, NC to Charleston, SC | $480 – $648 | 285 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Greensboro, NC to Columbia, SC | $398 – $555 | 183 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Greensboro, NC to North Charleston, SC | $475 – $655 | 277 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Greensboro, NC to Mount Pleasant, SC | $480 – $623 | 287 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Greensboro, NC to Rock Hill, SC | $334 – $501 | 117 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Durham, NC to South Carolina
| From North Carolina to South Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Durham, NC to Charleston, SC | $499 – $635 | 304 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Durham, NC to Columbia, SC | $423 – $554 | 235 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Durham, NC to North Charleston, SC | $471 – $630 | 296 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Durham, NC to Mount Pleasant, SC | $494 – $701 | 306 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Durham, NC to Rock Hill, SC | $389 – $499 | 169 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Winston-Salem, NC to South Carolina
| From North Carolina to South Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winston-Salem, NC to Charleston, SC | $475 – $604 | 285 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Winston-Salem, NC to Columbia, SC | $406 – $549 | 170 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Winston-Salem, NC to North Charleston, SC | $461 – $661 | 277 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Winston-Salem, NC to Mount Pleasant, SC | $480 – $611 | 288 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Winston-Salem, NC to Rock Hill, SC | $320 – $489 | 104 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from North Carolina to South Carolina
Larger vehicles such as SUVs, trucks, and vans are heavier and bulkier, making them more expensive to transport than sedans.
If you’re moving one from North Carolina to South Carolina, expect costs to range from $560 to $665.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from North Carolina to South Carolina
Transporting your vehicle from the Tar Heel State to the Palmetto State comes with a number of cost considerations, including:
- Type of transport: Options like open, enclosed, or top-loaded transport cater to different needs. Open carriers are cost-effective, while enclosed transport provides added protection for luxury or classic cars. If you’re not sure, check out our guide comparing open vs. enclosed car shipping.
- Vehicle size and type: Shipping costs are higher for bigger and heavier vehicles. Your car’s weight and dimensions play a direct role in the total cost to ship it to South Carolina.
- Distance and route: The route from North Carolina to South Carolina is about 205 miles. Costs grow with longer trips due to the increased fuel and labor required.
- Time of the year: Seasonal demand drives prices up. Moves from North Carolina in summer or over the holidays are often more expensive.
- Fuel prices: Since car shipping costs fluctuate with fuel costs, the cost of shipping between North Carolina and South Carolina may be affected by changing gas prices across regions.
- Delivery expectations: Because it’ll make their job easier, your auto shipper may give you a pricing discount if you’re flexible on delivery dates. That being said, getting your car from North Carolina to South Carolina should take between one and four days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
South Carolina vehicle regulations you need to know
After relocating to South Carolina, you’ll need to complete a few important steps to register your vehicle and make it legal to drive. Below is an overview of the main requirements to help with the process.
- Car insurance requirements: In South Carolina, it's a legal requirement for every driver to have liability insurance. Adhering to the state's minimum liability limits, commonly referred to as 25/50/25, entails securing coverage of at least $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for total bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. Stay compliant with these essential insurance standards to drive confidently on South Carolina roads.
- Vehicle inspection: Drivers in South Carolina are not required to get a safety, VIN, or emissions inspection for their vehicle.
- Driver’s license: If you are moving to South Carolina, you will be required to obtain a South Carolina driver's license within 90 days of establishing residency in the state.
- Additional taxes: In South Carolina, there is a sales tax imposed on the purchase of a vehicle. The sales tax rate is 6%, which is collected by the dealer at the time of purchase.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist.
Transporting your vehicle from North Carolina
More than 10.8 million people call North Carolina home. Nicknamed the Tar Heel State. North Carolina has mild weather year round, however, snow may affect your move in some parts of the state during winter time.
Transporting your vehicle to South Carolina
About 5.4 million people are living in the Palmetto State. South Carolina had hot and humid summers and cool to mild winters and coastal areas of the state have very mild winters. While precipitation is abundant the entire year in almost the entire state, the coast tends to have a slightly wetter summer, while inland, the spring and autumn transitions tend to be the wettest periods and winter the driest season, with November being the driest month.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in North Carolina and delivery in South Carolina?
Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in North Carolina and when dropping it off in South Carolina.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from North Carolina to South Carolina?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from North Carolina to South Carolina, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to South Carolina, which you should verify before loading your car in North Carolina.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Ensure compliance with North Carolina's mandatory minimum liability insurance rules for drivers. Your coverage should meet or exceed $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. Don't forget to enhance your protection with uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Stay informed and safeguarded on the road by meeting these state insurance requirements.
In South Carolina, it's a legal requirement for every driver to have liability insurance. Adhering to the state's minimum liability limits, commonly referred to as 25/50/25, entails securing coverage of at least $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for total bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. Stay compliant with these essential insurance standards to drive confidently on South Carolina roads.
How long does it take to ship a car from North Carolina to South Carolina?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from North Carolina to South Carolina is about 205 miles, and that’s as fast as about 1 day. However, most car transport companies will take one to four days to travel from North Carolina to South Carolina.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
Before the North Carolina DMV can register a passenger vehicle, it must pass an annual safety inspection if it is less than 30 years old.
Drivers in South Carolina are not required to get a safety, VIN, or emissions inspection for their vehicle.
If I have a driver’s license in North Carolina, will I need one in South Carolina?
If you are moving to South Carolina, you will be required to obtain a South Carolina driver's license within 90 days of establishing residency in the state.
If I bought a car in North Carolina, will I be required to pay sales tax in South Carolina after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from North Carolina to South Carolina after purchasing it.
In South Carolina, there is a sales tax imposed on the purchase of a vehicle. The sales tax rate is 6%, which is collected by the dealer at the time of purchase.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both North Carolina and South Carolina to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from North Carolina to South Carolina?
The cheapest way to ship a car from North Carolina to South Carolina is to ship it on a train or choose an open trailer transport method, avoid expedited shipping, and be flexible with your pickup dates.
How much does it cost to ship a car from North Carolina to South Carolina?
Shipping a car from North Carolina to South Carolina costs $448 to $532.
1154 Mimosa Ln, Greenville, NC 27834 US
4801 Glenwood Ave Suite 200, Raleigh, NC 27612 US
15720 Brixham Hill Ave # 300, Charlotte, NC 28277 US
341 Avery Rd, Erwin, NC 28339 US
3600 N Duke St #1, Durham, NC 27704 US